Mrs. Rowena Sanders' Obituary
March 11, 1928, the world was blessed with the birth of Rowena Sanders to her parents James Kelly and Brunetta Hall-Dews.
Raised in a Christian home, Rowena was baptized into the love of Christ at Okatibee Baptist Church. Through life changes, she later became a faithful member of Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church and an honorary member of First Union Missionary Baptist Church.
Rowena was a graduate of St. Joseph Catholic School and continued her education graduating as a cosmetologist at Calmese Beauty College. Rowena obtained her license and was a community beautician for sixty years. She also worked twenty-five years in the Meridian Public School District cafeterias and twenty years with the Foster Grandparent program.
Sis. Sanders was a dedicated church member wearing many hates while serving. She served in many capacities including:choir ministry, missionary society, mission circle, usher board, Sunday school teacher and assistant youth director. She loved working with children and singing songs of praise. She was most known for her melodic soprano vocals of Doctor Watt hymns. Her favorite hymn was, “Jesus, the man I’m looking for; Pray, tell me where He is”. If asked to sing a solo , she would often present “Is Your All on the Altar”, or “Something Within Me”. She was very dedicated to attending and serving within the District and State Conventions where she chaired the memorial services. Some may even remember, she was an instructor of the Baptist Training Unit (BTU). Additionally, Sis. Rowena was a member of the Minister Wives Alliance as she married Rev. Miller Sanders in 1971. She will forever be loved and remembered as a mother of church at Sunlight and First Union.
Sister Rowena Sanders was a living testimony who was proud to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As her age progressed, she attended First Union Baptist Church with her daughter Van and could often be heard uttering praises of “Amen” and “Have Mercy Lord”. Although she slowed her down, her love for God and her children never wavered.
Her love and sweet memories will forever be cherished by her daughters: Etta (Kim) Major-Gronvold of Seattle, WA and Van E. Jones of Meridian, MS; her son, Minister Julian Sanders Thomas of San Diego, CA; three sisters: Annie Pearl Davis of Jackson, MS, Barbara (David) Ivy of Meridian, MS, Margaret (Thomas) Sims of Colorado Springs, CO; two brothers: James (JoAnn) Kelley of Meridian, MS; and Jesse Kelley of Mobile, AL; two great aunts: Getherine (Samuel) Phillips of Springfield Gardens, NY and Doris Laura of Augusta, GA; 12 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, her step children, cousins, friends, and church families.
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